Chapter Eighteen

FORT HALL

AFTER A LONG PULL UP Muddy Creek, they came to Bear River, which provided a lovely campsite. They should be about ten days out of Fort Hall. Thankfully, they made camp on Saturday, so they could stay there through tomorrow.

Jacob led Faith down to the river’s edge. Here the river had a wide span with banks so low it resembled the Atlantic coast. The sky used the river for a mirror, turning the water a vivid blue. The reflections of tall evergreens sent fingers into the water. The beauty of the place could almost steal one’s breath.

Faith sighed. “I like it here.”

“It does look like a landscape painting.”

Jacob stood behind her and put his arms around her. She leaned back against him.

“Let’s come down here and have our devotion tomorrow morning,” she suggested. “Wouldn’t this be a good setting to worship our Lord?”

“It would indeed. Maybe we could also do some fishing tomorrow afternoon. I’m sure we could catch enough for supper.”

“I’d like that. You and I have never found the time to fish together.”

 

Three of the families decided to stay instead of continuing on. Dexter’s was one of them. He approached Faith when he thought he had Faith alone. He didn’t know Jacob was in the wagon looking for another shirt.

“You can stay here with us, Faith,” he said. “You don’t have to continue.”

“I want to continue. I would never leave Jacob. It would break my heart.”

“I just thought I would ask and make sure.”

“I’m sure, but thank you, Dexter. I wish you the very best.”

For a fleeting moment, Jacob wondered if Faith would have told the young man exactly the same thing if he hadn’t been near. Of course, she would. He had no reason to doubt her.

“He doesn’t give up easily, does he?” Jacob said, as he stepped from the wagon. “Doesn’t he know how immoral he’s acting? You are my wife.”

“Yes, I am, but I feel sorry for him. I hope I didn’t hurt him in my refusal, but he must understand I love my husband. I’ve told him more than once.”

“I can understand his fascination with you. I’m pretty fascinated myself.” He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her out of sight for a kiss.

 

Jacob and Faith did carry their coffee and Bibles down to the river Sunday morning. Their time of devotion in the quiet morning and peaceful setting soothed Jacob. He almost hated to leave.

They also made it back before supper to fish. Faith caught as many as he did, and they enjoyed the time together away from the others.

“I hope the remainder of the trip isn’t too difficult,” Jacob said.

“Are you expecting it to be?”

“Marshall and Obadiah say the worst is yet to come.”

“Do you think we should stay here instead of continuing?”

“Is that what you want to do?” Stay here near Dexter.

“It is beautiful here, but we know we can obtain land near Portland. That’s been your goal, Jacob, so I think that’s what we should do, unless you’ve changed your mind.”

“No, I haven’t changed my mind, but I want to consider your wishes, too.”

“I’ll be happy anywhere you are.”

“I must admit, I’m a little jealous of Dexter. It bothers me he still asks for you when he knows you’re already married. Aren’t these people Christians? Between Iris and Dexter, I’m beginning to wonder what this world’s coming to.”

“You’re right. I’m also a little jealous of Iris. I trust you, but I don’t trust her.”

“I don’t trust her either. She seems to want to cause trouble, and she’s headstrong enough to not take my ‘no’ for an answer.”

The conversation left Jacob feeling more at peace. Faith’s comments let him know he had nothing to fear from her.

They caught enough fish for supper, and still, they lingered. When they went back, it would be to start the routine tasks of another week on the trail. Jacob pulled Faith down into his arms as they reclined beside the river. He rolled over and kissed her long and completely. He would have liked to continue their lovemaking, but, although they were secluded, anyone could walk up, so that would have to wait until tonight.

They got to their feet and had began gathering their things when something hit Faith in the temple. She fell to her knees and clutched her head. Blood trickled between her fingers and down the side of her face.

Jacob panicked and grabbed her for a better look. A short, deep gash ran along her hairline. He gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and pressed his handkerchief to the side of her head to staunch the blood.

“What was it, darling?” he asked, trying to appear calm. “Did you see anything?”

“I think it may have been a rock, but I can’t be sure because it happened so quickly. I didn’t see anything else.”

“Come on let’s get you back and get you bandaged.”

Jacob looked around as he led Faith back. He didn’t see anything either.

Lena stood outside her wagon starting supper and noticed the blood on Faith’s face as they walked by. She came over to take care of Faith’s cut. It took more pressure to finally get the bleeding to slow enough to bandage it. The spot had already started to swell and discolor.

“I’ll cook supper tonight,” he told her.

“No, you won’t,” Faith told him. “I’m fine. It’s just a little nick.” Stubborn woman.

She baked small potatoes in the edge of the fire, as she fried the fish and made cornbread. She got out the last of their pickles, and they ate supper. Jacob couldn’t believe how good it tasted.

Jacob thought Faith felt worse than she was letting on, because she went to bed after they finished the dishes. She even let him do the milking, which told him a lot.

He took care of the fire and got ready for bed himself. He crawled in beside her and pulled her close. The more he thought about what had happened, the more his fear grew. Oh, God, please don’t let anything happen to Faith. Please keep her safe. I need her, and she’s Thy greatest blessing to me. I feel so helpless in this situation, but I know Thou can do all things, so please protect us both and grant us many years together to serve Thee. I pray. Amen.

 

Jacob went to talk with Marshall before they pulled out the next morning. There’d been too many incidents lately—the snake, the gunshot, and the rock. Jacob might be getting overly suspicious, but he had even begun to wonder if someone had started that prairie fire.

Marshall didn’t have any answers. “All I know is to keep a close watch,” he said. “If I were you, I’d talk to Lena and Harlan and have them watching, too. If it is someone and they continue their mischief, they’re bound to get caught sooner or later.”

Jacob just hoped it would be sooner. He couldn’t stand the thought of Faith being in danger and threatened like this.

Dear Lord, keep her safe.

 

Someone had started rumors about Jacob, and he remembered what he once heard his mother say. “Rumor runs faster and hangs around longer than the truth ever does.” It did a lot of damage, too.

The grapevine said Jacob had lost his first wife and his son, and now unexplained things were happening to Faith. It insinuated Jacob was trying to get rid of his wife, as he had Lucille. Some people seemed to believe the ludicrous tale.

Faith dismissed them. “Surely they don’t think you would put a snake in your own bed, and you couldn’t have hit me with the rock. You were right beside me.”

“You need to be concerned about the incidents, Faith. I’m afraid someone is trying to hurt you. We need to be vigilant.”

“I am concerned, but it will do no good to worry. I plan to be careful, but there’s only so much we can do. I refuse to live in fear and feel I have to look over my shoulder all the time. I’ll trust in God to protect me. He always has. ‘The Lord is on my side; I will not fear; what can man do unto me,’ as Psalm 118:6 says.”

“I wish I had your faith. I think I do until times like this, and I find myself worried that something will happen to you.”

The next morning, Faith read Deuteronomy 31 for their devotion. Verse six read, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” She must have picked that verse just for him.

Jacob tried to leave everything in God’s capable hands. He spent time in prayer each day as he walked beside the oxen team, but, especially at night, he tended to pick the worry back up. Hadn’t the reason given for Faith marrying him been that he would protect her? Rex might be right. He didn’t seem to be doing a very good job.

 

Not far from Bear River the wagons came to the Soda Springs. These were a group of mineral springs with Steamboat Springs being the most impressive. The geyser shot squirts of water up two to three feet with a whistling sound, like a steamboat. Jacob and Faith stood hand in hand and watched the strange sight. She gave a little bounce and laughed when the water whistled.

Jacob rather liked these soda springs. Faith took the last of her dried black cherries, poured some of the fizzing water over them, and let them soak for a delicious cherry soda drink. Water from the springs also turned out to be good for making bread.

The women washed clothes in the warm springs. Some of the springs were hot, some were warm, and others had cold water.

When they spent a night near one of the springs, some of the boys went swimming. Jacob would have liked to go in privately with Faith, but he saw no opportunity.

They moved on to Fort Hall. They’d made up a little of their lost time by not spending as much time at the landmarks or forts as some trains did, but summer slipped by.

Fort Hall had been constructed of wood encased in whitewashed, sun-dried adobe bricks. A pair of towers, looking a little like squat sentinels, stood at the front. The United States flag flew over it and looked a little out of-place in the dismal setting.

Like Fort Laramie, Fort Hall had been a fur trading post, but the Hudson Bay Company had pulled out when it became part of the United States last year. It was now a military post kept especially for travelers on the trails.

They pulled in around noon. They would spend the rest of the day here and leave early in the morning.

Like the other forts, this one had its share of Indians and mountain men. A few of the women had piles of clothing made from deer and antelope skins for sale.

The prices at Fort Hall were high, but not as expensive as they’d been at some of the other forts. Jacob and Faith bought some more flour and cornmeal.

Iris caught up with Jacob as he went to the stream to get water. “Jakey, I need to talk with you.”

He wanted to tell her to stop calling him “Jakey.” It reminded him of Lucille every time she did, and he didn’t want to talk with her at all. Instead, he asked, “What do you want?” The words seemed to take an accusing tone he didn’t mean to show.

“You know I’m planning to leave the Oregon Trail where the California Trail splits off unless someone makes me a better offer. I had hoped you might make that offer. I could make you happy. I know I could.”

“I’m happy with my wife. You need to find you a single man.”

“I’d rather have you. I’d go on to Portland with you, or better yet, you could come to California with me. We would have a good life either way.”

“I’m not interested. Find yourself someone else. By trying to take another woman’s husband, you let me know what kind of person you are, and it’s not a good one. You’re proposing adultery.” Several other words came to mind, but none of them were Christian.

“You’ll change your mind, Jake Parker.” She stomped her foot. “You just see if you don’t.”

Jacob trudged back to his wagon deep in thought. He considered not saying anything to Faith about what had just happened, because he knew she didn’t trust Iris with him, but he decided he’d better tell her. He didn’t want to keep secrets, and, if he did, and they were discovered, it would make him look guilty of something he hadn’t done.

“Talk about not giving up. Dexter at least stayed by Bear River,” Faith said.

“Well, ideally, Iris will head for California, and we’ll continue on to Portland. The trail will split not far from here, so I’m hoping we’ll be rid of her.”

“Is the same person still driving her wagon?”

“As far as I know. It’s some boy. I don’t know who he is, but I’ve seen him a few times. He looks young, but I guess he’s about fifteen or sixteen. I think his father might have died around the same time as Mr. Bates. I’m sure I heard Marshall say the boy and his father had planned to farm in Oregon. We’ve lost quite a few people on this trip, and it isn’t over yet.” He paused realizing Faith’s aunt and uncle, as well as Lucille and Rudy, were among that number.

Faith looked at him with sympathy flooding her eyes. “It’s been a long, hard journey, hasn’t it? I’d never even been off our Kentucky farm since I went there at ten, so this is very different for me.”

“Are you exhausted, honey?”

“No more than anyone else. I intend to see this through. I’ll be walking right there beside you, Jacob Parker, all the way to Portland.” She smiled.